Savoie, France
Chasselas is the most important and widely planted white wine grape variety in Switzerland. Its zesty character and delicious versatility also spill over the border into France, where it finds superb expressions on the steep slopes of Alsace and the Savoie. In the great 2019 Savoie vintage, Vins du Léman’s Chasselas Quintessence finds an exquisite balance between aromatic ripeness and minerally terroir expression. The Quintessence reflects a limpid lemon-gold hue segueing to Alpine-pure aromas of preserved lemons, honeysuckle blossoms, golden apple flesh, and bright limestone minerals. The wine shows impressive concentration on the palate, offering concentrated yellow plum and pear fruit imbued with suggestions of chamomile, quince, juniper, and zesty limestone minerals. Fresh floral notes segue the wine to a long, fresh-as-an-alpine-stream finish, which will compel you to pair this beauty with your finest quiche recipes, mushroom tarts, sautéed green vegetables and vegetable frittatas, classic cheese fondues, and freshwater fish in a beurre blanc sauce. This is fantastic, textbook Chasselas, and a wonderful introduction to the variety. Enjoy now and over the next two years.
A December 2021 newsletter selection
